Howdy Constant Reader! How ya been? Good? Great! So as you know, historically, Doodle and I have a love hate relationship. I love him, and he hates to run. Funny that. So hes been hanging out in my garage since my last blog entry where I attempted to take him camping and was plauged with the shudders. Remember that? No? I'll wait while you go back and read. Finished? Sweet! Now you know. Basically I've been fooling with it ever since and I couldn't figure out why he wont run, and why, when running he backfired and shuddered. No luck, so I summoned the heavy hitter. Colin aka Amaskeptic was going to be passing through town and I asked him if he would be able to help me out troubleshooting Doodle. His answer? Why hell yes I can. So away we go. Fast forward to the day (Sept 6th. I come home from an abbreivated work day and find....

The single nicest passenger bus I've ever seen. He bought it from the original owner. The plates? New York. And yes, he did drive it here from there. This thing is flawless!  Exhaust, interior, etc, like showroom fresh. Anywhoo, I digress. Just glad to have his expertise here to help out. Transporters at the Point is coming up, and I need Doodle to be top notch for that. This may be the last one, and I want to go. So after spending the first hour going over basics at my table, we push, yes push, as in, the bitch wont start, Doodle outside and get started.

Okay, first things first. Replace the condensor, and rotor, turn over, no start. Removed the points, filed and set AGAIN. Keep fiddling with it, find  the sweet spot, fires to life. Progress! Dwell is way off. Hmm. To be honest, I didnt even know what dwell was until he showed up. Apparently, whatever it is, is WAY off. Fiddled with that, got it dialed in at 44 degrees which I guess is where it is supposed to be. Okay. Now. Removed, repaired fresh air heater hoses. Gotta re-order those, they are bad! Got them quasi patched and working. Using carb cleaner, we found several vacuum leaks, the most significant on the passenger side at the head. Luckily Colin had a gasket. Replaced that. Swapped plug wires, wired in my sidemarkers, decided to go for a drive. Power is better, but still stumbling some. Colin showed me how to adjust the AFM, which I was terrified to touch. Adjusted the wiper and the gear by playing around with them both. Went for another drive. FANTASTIC. Runs 100% better. He complained some about my shifter bushing, so I made a mental note to get that done. ITs like Doodle lives all over again. Came back to the house, adjusted the steering box, fixed my hazard switch and now I have blinkers! I know. Simple, but makes me happy. Big time. Discussed rust prevention at length. This guy is a pro at it. I think Imma take his advice to make sure Doodle lasts. All in all a great day. So happy to have him back. I cant even tell you. I'm really hoping my luck holds for the beginning of October for Transporters at the Point. I mean I am so excited to go I can't even tell you. Funny thing is, its all stuff I wondered about, but wasn't smart enough to figure it out. Colin was a big help in just opening my eyes.

Constant Reader, I'm grinning ear to ear. Can you see? You can't? Take my word for it. All is well.

Guess what time it be?

It be registration time! Doodle qualifies for, and is now officially registerd as an Antique Vehicle! In the state of texas, thats a five year registration, meaning no annual inspection (I think) but he can only be driven limited miles per year and only to club functions, trips and maintenance. Yep, random camping counts. Stoked. $54 bux for five years. *insert joyus dance once again*

Otherwise, I did nail down my chugging spitting problem. Damn points were burned up. Four bucks, ten minutes, and I'm back up and running. I did, however, in my repairs notice several vacuum hoses are worn. Not terribly, but not perfect. I ordered a complete vacuum hose set from German Supply. $85 bucks and its nearly every single piece except the Decel Valve Tee and the Intake Sleeves. My intake sleeves are fine, and I think my Decel Valve Tee is fine too. Unrelatedly, German Supply also sells a very awesome fuel hose replacement kit. Mine are all good, but if they weren't, I'd be buying that from them too. Money well spent. I think I might actually be able to go camping this weekend! Yay Doodle! Until next time Constant Reader, find somewhere to take the bus. They seem to run better (at least Doodle) if you dont let them sit. Thats a crime against nature, I'm sure. Not everyone is as lucky as us, to be the pilot of such a cool vehicle. Go show off today. Its Summertime. Enjoy.

Camping with the Air Coolers

Camping planned for tonight in Temple. Checked the points, burned spot. Cleaned and set to .016. Went for a drive, popping, chugging, backfiring violently. Checked points again, burned. Cleaned, reset. Filed smooth, set to .020. no change. 12 degrees BTDC, set back to 7.5 BTDC. No change. Changed plug wires. No change. Changed coil, no change. Checked vacuum lines, zip tied all tight. Started, sprayed carb cleaner on all. No change. Couldn't find any major leaks, no change in idle. Replaced the cap, no change.

I have no freaking clue. None. So frustrated.

Quick search on Samba.com indicates the AFM might be out of adjustment. The only other thing I didnt change is the condensor. Well damn. Not smart enough to do an AFM roadside adjustment, so it looks like I'm foiled again. Towed into the campgrounds in shame.

Ah Doodle, you summabitch you.

Breakfast Drive

Drove Doodle to iHop for breakfast for Mother's Day with my mom. Little cruise afterwards. Weather is awesome, say thankya! Not running perfect, points? Stutters on initial accelleration. Need more camping! Exhaust leak sounds worse. Did visual inspection. Didnt see it. Still a great day.

Doodle heads to the hills!

Well Howdy Constant Reader! (You do realize this is Texas right? Just checkin.) So April in Texas means one thing if you are a VW fan. Texas VW Classic. Biggest show all year. People come from far and wide. Even with the issues they have been having lately with camping and such, its still a must see. And this year, I decided to see it from the front seat of Doodle.  For reference...

Can you see me?! Right there. No, over a bit. Yeah! (Disclaimer: Or no.) So, just so you are aware, Fredericksburg is 347 miles away from me, using the freeway for a third and back roads from Georgetown, Texas to Llano, Texas down south to Fredericksburg. The back roads are the best parts really. So, in the weeks preceeding my epic journey (and my first Doodle camping experience) I drove Doodle every day. Did a tune up. Oil change. Started him randomly throughout the day. Nothing. No issues, no hicups, nothing. And awayyyyy we go.

Now I have to say, crusing along the highway was quite a treat in Doodle. With the load rated tires, and new found power, the only time I had any issues where when battling passing semis. Otherwise, no issues! Awesome. Stopped in Georgetown for fuel top off and to check the oil. Everything seemed like it was running well. Little chugging on initial acceleration, but nothing major. So off we go through the hill country, little SRV (thats Stevie Ray Vaughn for the musical greatness challenged among us.) as my co-pilot.

The scenery out here is amazing. Made Doodles slow pace worth it, so I could see what was going on. If there is a better way to see the Texas Hill Country than behind the wheel of a classic VW Westfalia, I dont know what it might be. I did manage a few cool pics tho....



So a little over six hours later I arrive at Fredricksburg and join my buddies. Yay!

Interestingly enough, it was quite warm during the day, so warm infact, I got a pretty decent sunburn. At night however...

My phone said 35 degrees when I took this pic! See that orange? Thats my subzero sleeping bag. The one thing saving me from certain doom! Hahahahaha *ahem* So, after an uneventful weekend, sleeping in Doodle while enjoying all that is VW hijinkery (yes, constant reader, you can make up your own words when writing in your own blog! Isnt it scandiferous?!) So, time came to ride home, and doodle fired right up. Yay! Lets head back. 347 miles to go. :)

I did have to stop by Lake Bachman(?) or Llano Lake. Can't remember and I'm too lazy to check. It was here that I first started hearing a slight exhaust leak. Wait. Did someone say photo op? Hell yes I'll take pics of Doodle by a lake!

And one place I've waited for a pic of since last year. A wall in Bertram, Texas. Dunno what it means, but I really really liked it. And, Doodle liked it as well. So did all the passing cars. At least they must have. They all honked and waved. I doubt I had TP on my shoe, but I digress.

Well, thats about it. Otherwise its just me, back roads, and the blissful sounds of a well tuned flat four engine. Although, that exhaust leak is troubling. Hmmm... Well, for my first camping excursion in Doodle, I really, really enjoyed it. I can see why people fall in love with these things. Unrelatedly, my buddy Herman drove in from Amarillo. I fell in love with his new tires. I love my Vancos, but DAYUM. I likes me some of these. I may have to consider an upgrade.

Love those. LOVE. Hmmm. Anyway, from Doodle and I to you, wheres your Westy parked?